Intestinal malabsorption (K90) ICD-10-CM
The K90 code range covers intestinal malabsorption with 17 ICD-10-CM diagnosis codes. 13 of them are billable and valid for claim submission in fiscal year 2027, and the category headers group them but cannot themselves be billed.
Type 1 Excludes
A type 1 excludes note is a pure excludes note. It means "NOT CODED HERE!" An Excludes1 note indicates that the code excluded should never be used at the same time as the code above the Excludes1 note. An Excludes1 is used when two conditions cannot occur together, such as a congenital form versus an acquired form of the same condition.
- intestinal malabsorption following gastrointestinal surgery K91.2
Codes in the K90 Range 17 codes · 13 billable
- K90 Intestinal malabsorptionNon-billable
- K90.0 Celiac disease
- K90.1 Tropical sprue
- K90.2 Blind loop syndrome, not elsewhere classified
- K90.3 Pancreatic steatorrhea
- K90.4 Other malabsorption due to intoleranceNon-billable
- K90.41 Non-celiac gluten sensitivity
- K90.49 Malabsorption due to intolerance, not elsewhere classified
- K90.8 Other intestinal malabsorptionNon-billable
- K90.81 Whipple's disease
- K90.82 Short bowel syndromeNon-billable
- K90.821 Short bowel syndrome with colon in continuity
- K90.822 Short bowel syndrome without colon in continuity
- K90.829 Short bowel syndrome, unspecified
- K90.83 Intestinal failure
- K90.89 Other intestinal malabsorption
- K90.9 Intestinal malabsorption, unspecified
Clinical Terms in This Code Range
Definitions from the National Library of Medicine for conditions coded in the K90 range.
Blind Loop Syndrome
A malabsorption syndrome that is associated with a blind loop in the upper SMALL INTESTINE that is characterized by the lack of peristaltic movement, stasis of INTESTINAL CONTENTS, and the overgrowth of BACTERIA. Such bacterial overgrowth interferes with BILE SALTS action, FATTY ACIDS processing, MICROVILLI integrity, and the ABSORPTION of nutrients such as VITAMIN B12 and FOLIC ACID.
Celiac Disease
A malabsorption syndrome that is precipitated by the ingestion of foods containing GLUTEN, such as wheat, rye, and barley. It is characterized by INFLAMMATION of the SMALL INTESTINE, loss of MICROVILLI structure, failed INTESTINAL ABSORPTION, and MALNUTRITION.
Intestinal Failure
Various intestinal diseases functionally defined as having reduced intestine function requiring PARENTERAL NUTRITION.
Short Bowel Syndrome
A malabsorption syndrome resulting from extensive operative resection of the SMALL INTESTINE, the absorptive region of the GASTROINTESTINAL TRACT.
Sprue, Tropical
A chronic malabsorption syndrome, occurring mainly in residents of or visitors to the tropics or subtropics. The failed INTESTINAL ABSORPTION of nutrients from the SMALL INTESTINE results in MALNUTRITION and ANEMIA that is due to FOLIC ACID deficiency.
Steatorrhea
A condition that is characterized by chronic fatty DIARRHEA, a result of abnormal DIGESTION and/or INTESTINAL ABSORPTION of FATS.
Whipple Disease
A chronic systemic infection by a gram-positive bacterium, Tropheryma whippelii, mainly affecting the SMALL INTESTINE but also the JOINTS; CARDIOVASCULAR SYSTEM; and the CENTRAL NERVOUS SYSTEM. The disease is characterized by fat deposits in the INTESTINAL MUCOSA and LYMPH NODES, malabsorption, DIARRHEA with fatty stools, MALNUTRITION, and ARTHRITIS.
About the K90 Code Range
Intestinal malabsorption means the intestines do not absorb normally. This category separates named conditions from malabsorption due to intolerance, other forms, and cases without a specified type.
Individual subdivisions identify celiac disease, tropical sprue, blind loop syndrome, and pancreatic steatorrhea. K90.4 separates non-celiac gluten sensitivity from other malabsorption due to intolerance.
Under K90.8, short bowel syndrome splits by whether the colon remains connected, with a separate subdivision when that detail is unspecified. This branch also identifies Whipple's disease, intestinal failure, and other intestinal malabsorption. K90.9 identifies intestinal malabsorption without a specified type.
Questions About This Page
How many billable codes are in the K90 range?
Of the 17 codes in this range, 13 are billable and valid for claim submission from October 1, 2026 through September 30, 2027. Category header codes group them but cannot be reported on claims.
What does the K90 range classify?
The range classifies intestinal malabsorption. Each code links to its own reference page with billing status, MS-DRG grouping, coding notes, and clinical information.
Related References
Source: CMS FY 2027 ICD-10-CM Tabular List and order file, effective October 1, 2026 through September 30, 2027.
